• John Lumley, born in 1766, was brought out to Nova Scotia at the age of eleven. He grew to manhood in the Yorkshire Settlement, in Cumberland County, and married a maiden who was, like himself, of Yorkshire descent. Nancy Harrison, his wife, was the daughter of John Harrison and Sarah Lovell, who with their large family of children had come from Rillington, Yorkshire in 1774.2152, pp 35-6

• They [John’s parents] landed near Maccan in Nova Scotia where John Lumley grew to manhood, married Ann Harrison and brought forth a family. After a number of years, they moved to the area south of Iona. In 1815, John Lumley erected a sawmill and gristmill, having brought the machinery and stones from Nova Scotia in 1813.2881, p 226

• Elizabeth, the oldest daughter, married Mr. Mills, and remained in Nova Scotia, while the rest of the family moved with their parents to Upper Canada. Glowing accounts of good soil and free grants of land had their effect on the father and the growing sons, and in 1819, they set out for their new homes. Little is known of their journey, but it is believed that they landed at Long Point, on the northern shore of Lake Erie, and journeyed by land further west some sixty or seventy miles until they finally settled in what in now Dunwich Township, County of Elgin.2152, p 40

• John Lumley used some of his father’s money to buy more land. He purchased the Savage grant at Southampton, and the Ripley grant, with a grist mill, at Maccan. Then bought a Bishop grant at Southampton, and the Fenwick grant at Maccan river. His children numbered thirteen. Nine years after writing his hopeful letter he heard glowing accounts of good soil and free grants of land in Upper Canada, and in 1819 they set out on a long journey, arriving at Long Point, on the north shore of Lake Erie, and journeying up by land until they settled at what is now Dunwich Township, Ontario.2873, p 12

• ...who at one time owned practically the whole of the Southampton district.2882

• Dennis Gannon gives burial place as St. Stephen’s Cemetery, St. Thomas, Ontario.
Source: Letter dated 23 May 1992

• On the brow of a hill, a mile and a half south of Iona, on the farm now owned by Thomas Pearce, are about 50 graves. Many of these have never been marked by marble, and are now but nameless mounds, never again to claim the memorial care of relatives or friends. The few mounds that were marked by headstones sometimes serve as the Mecca of relatives far removed by time and space from the places hallowed by the early struggles of their ancestors. Here, side by side, under the stately maples that overlook the scenes of their mature years, lie the remains of John and Ann Lumley. Prostrate above their graves, like a shield to save their memories from oblivion, heaved over by time and fractured by frost, are the several pieces of a large slab that bears the inscription:
IN MEMORY OF JOHN LUMLEY, Who Died May 12, 1842. Aged 76 Years.
ANN His Wife, Died Aug. 29, 1837. Aged 71 Years.2152, p 41

• 1794 Census: District of Rivers Macan, Nappan and Hebert, Nova Scotia.2144

• Iona today is just a cluster of pleasant homes set off from No. 3 Highway where the busy tourists rush by without a glance. Yet at one time it was the centre of much drama.
Iona is located on the township line between Dunwich and Southwold Townships on No. 3 Highway, formerly Back Street.2881, p 220

• After John Lumley erected the first saw and gristmill on the northern edge of his land in 1815, Iona began to grow.2881, p 221